New Year celebration in Mt Hagen city, Western Highlands was pretty peaceful. Unlike past Christmas and New Year periods, the current liquor ban and show of police presence instilled control of sorts. It began with a convoy of police vehicles that drove around Mt Hagen city in a show of force and followed by routine patrols around the city. There were minor alcohol and traffic related offences attended to in the night but police maintain that most streets in the city were empty by nightfall. It was further observed that the liquor ban also resulted in many residents remaining sober this festive season and keeping the disturbance to a minimum.

Southern Highlands Police have enforced a liquor ban for the Christmas and New Year operations. Provincial Police Commander Joseph Puri told this newsroom that his men were also doing Christmas and New Year operations under the code name, Silent Night for Southern Highlands Province. PPC Puri said there has not been any support from the provincial government for enforcement of liquor ban though it is in place. The PPC says he had planned for a bigger awareness on peace and good order but due to lack of support, has to proceed with normal policing during the festive season. PPC Puri further urged all Southern Highlanders to celebrate the festive season peacefully and safely into the New Year.

Western Highlands Police will have a toll free (hotline) number in the New Year, to assist the people effectively in terms of Law and Order. The plan according to the Provincial Government is already underway, with the toll free number 2222 (twenty two, twenty two) already secured. Executive Officer to the Provincial Government John Bak made the announcement to Mt Hagen Police recently, while presenting a cheque for the Christmas and New Year operations. Mr Bak said the toll free number will be printed on the three new vehicles to be presented to Western Highlands Police soon. He added that with K70,000 raised for the toll free number operations, the provincial government would also renovate and improve facilities at the police station. Meanwhile, on behalf of the Provincial Government, Bak commended Mt Hagen Police for improvement in attending to ethnic clashes within the city and cooling tensions within reasonable time.

With the total liquor ban within Western Highlands during the festive season, the number of drunkards in public was drastically reduced. This is according to PPC John Sagom, who said neighboring Jiwaka and Chimbu provinces have also enforced liquor restrictions. This has seen a  reduction in noisy and violent celebrations associated with alcohol. Peace loving residents of Mt Hagen city are happy with the quiet Christmas celebrations so far. PPC Sagom said all liquor outlets have stopped selling alcohol since Saturday. "Police urge the general public to maintain the peaceful spirit throughout the festive week and beyond." PPC Sagom added that a minor incident saw a handful of drunks caught along the roads locked up in the Mt Hagen police cells.

Prime Minister James Marape has officially launched the National Coffee Structure and Policy Framework at Banz, Jiwaka Province on Friday. One of the key aims of the new Coffee Ministry under pioneer Minister Joe Kuli is to see 2,500 coffee trees per family in the coffee growing areas around the country. The event was attended by PM James Marape, Finance and Planning Minister Rainbo Paita, Agriculture Minister Aiye Tambua and his vice Minister, Oil Palm Minister Francis Maneke, including governors for Western Highlands and Jiwaka, along with local Jiwaka MPs. Two representatives from the investor companies from the United States also attended the launching. Prime Minister James in his keynote speech called on the people to start going back home to work their lands. He said the government was working towards improving the lives of the rural communities, and commended the new Coffee Minister for taking the first step in setting the road map for coffee industry. The Prime Minister also challenged youths and school leavers not to give up hope and resort to drugs, alcohol and crime. Meanwhile, all the leaders expressed the need for people to work together to have the policy working. The Prime Minister also announced that K2 million each has been delivered to selected coffee producing Districts in the region and the funding program will phase out to other districts. He also announced K5 million each for Jiwaka and Western Highlands Provincial governments to focus on Coffee rehabilitation programs and taking stock of farmers.

Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG) is not only keen in training leaders in the public service but also in business. Last Friday, a small but significant graduation ceremony took place at Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt Hagen where the two weeks course was delivered to twenty one (21) participants. The event was officiated by PILAG CEO Michael Barobe, as well as representatives from Western Highlands Provincial Provincial Administration, National Development Bank and other stakeholders. Mr Barobe, while congratulating the participants, encouraged them to be committed and dedicated in their little businesses so that they grow. The participants are now equipped with knowledge and skills in starting up SMEs, doing project proposals, registration with Investment Promotions Authority (IPA) and Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), book keeping and other necessary skills. The trainings are delivered by qualified trainers with Masters degree , with up to twenty (20) years of job experiences. Meanwhile, participants also expressed gratitude for the training and thanked PILAG for delivering the two weeks training. The fee for the training was K500 per head. According to PILAG Highlands Regional Training Centre Manager Johnson Hebe, similar programs will run next year. National Development Bank Mt Hagen Branch Manager Pati Kingal also expressed his concern for SME owners especially in terms of loans. He suggested for the Western Highlands Provincial government to set up a financial assistance scheme for the people of the province. This would also empower SME owners to overcome one of the major constraints in obtaining loan, which is, security or collateral. Western Highlands Provincial representatives have advises that this would be relayed to governor Wai Rapa for the Provincial Administration to deliberate on.

University of Goroka (UOG) Mt Hagen Campus' Institute Of Distance and Flexible Learning and Early Childhood Education held its first graduation last Friday. Chancellor of the University of Goroka Joe Wemin declared the first graduation ceremony for the campus, which had a total of hundred eleven (111) graduates. The event  was hosted in a tent at Queen's Park, Mt Hagen, due to the unpredictable weather. It was a double graduation for both degree and diploma holders. Eight graduated with Bachelor of Education (Primary In-service) School Management, and one person graduated with Bachelor of Education (In-service TVET) School Management. A hundred and two (102) graduated with Diploma in Early Childhood Education. The venue was packed  with friends and families. Meanwhile, senior representatives from the University of Goroka including Chancellor Joe Wemin, Vice Chancellor Teng Waninga attended the event. Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa also commended UOG for setting up campus in Mt Hagen . His message to Western Highlanders is to invest their time and resources in education, agriculture and other worthwhile activities.

Mt Hagen city, capital of Western Highlands Province will soon see all it's roads upgraded and sealed. The official opening and ground breaking was done today (10/10/22) by Governor for Western Highlands Province Wai Rapa and local MP and Minister for State Owned Enterprises William Duma. Hagen Open MP William Duma says K5 million has already been allocated to kick-start the first phase which starts from the traffic lights, to the hospital and around the main market. The forty kilometre road upgrade project tender has been awarded to EMK construction. Both Rapa and Duma gave assurance that they would work together to deliver. The Marape-Rosso government has also been thanked for the supporting the project under the connect PNG program.

A senior public servant from Kagua Erave electorate in Southern Highlands Province is calling on the District Development Authority to address law and order issues quickly. Kagua Erave District Education Advisor, Leonard Yano says Kagua station has been hit with continuous vandalism of state properties. Yano raises concerns that solar street lights ,water tanks, computers for the district treasury,chairs and files have been damaged in the recent past. The District Education Advisor also revealed that Kagua Secondary School teachers, and students were being threatened, while the school's Administration building had its doors broken. Yano said now with the Sugu Valley fight erupting again, they were living in fear. He says the National EXAMs were around the corner and there were students attending more than 5 high Schools in the Electorate, whose education could be affected. Yano is requesting Kagua Erave DDA to engage Foreign troops to be based at the Station. He also challenged local leaders that it was time to stand together to educate tribesmen and discouraging arms build up in the electorate.

Peoples National Congress Party leader and sitting Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O'Neill is being challenged by eight candidates in the 2022 National Elections. Most of these candidates come from remote parts of the electorate. Unlike the past two elections where most Local Level Governments (LLGs) fielded no candidates, this year there are candidates contesting from the silent areas. At least four candidates are clustered in South Wiru LLG which is the sitting MPs base, while other LLGs have at least one or two each. In South Wiru LLG, Pangu candidate and 2017 second runner-up Stanley Liria is another favourite, though Peter O'Neill beat him on first count then. Former National Lands Board Chairman Sam Wange is also a new face contesting from the same LLG.. It is understood that East Pangia and South Wiru LLGs were O'Neill's base in 2017 General Elections. Another two candidates from East Pangia LLG are Leonard Pangepea and Wai Omala. Meanwhile, from remote Kuare LLG, the first candidate to rise is Diri Micah Kapolo, an agriculturalist and teacher. From Kewabi LLG, Ricky Pale and Dr. Sam Kari have raised their hands as contenders for the Ialibu Pangia seat. According to Returning Officer Ronald Rambu, campaigns have been peaceful so far, despite an isolated incident at a remote village in South Wiru LLG last week. Rambu said people seem to be more educated enough now than in past elections.

Another fight broke out in Mt Hagen city today (Saturday) at around 1pm, leaving up to three men with bushknife wounds and a number of vehicles damaged. This time, it said to be between two factions within Western Highlands Province. The notorious Animal Market is said to be the hub of crimes and one of the groups is calling for that area to be closed to street vending. Police and the Army have been on alert since series of fights and unrest broke out over the week in the third largest city. Meanwhile, local police have called on the general public to do their businesses early and leave to their places of residence during daylight period.

Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai is being called on to change the persons listed as Returning Officers for Western Highlands Province. This call is from the Yamka and Moge tribes who are threatening to shut down Kagamuga International Airport for indefinite period if Electoral Commissioner does not respond. The Airport was closed yesterday after locals learned that the person responsible for biased counting for Mt Hagen Open in 2017 elections was appointed returning officer again for this years election. Specifically, these frustrations are based on information from the leaked gazette notice on appointment of provincial and electorate returning officers. A protest is expected today, as school administrations in the city have turned students home.